Diarrhoea — Causes, Danger Signs and Treatment
Also described as diarrhoea, loose stools, frequent motion, stomach upset.
Most acute diarrhoea is infective and settles within a few days; the priority is fluid and salt replacement with ORS. Blood in the stool, high fever, signs of dehydration, or diarrhoea lasting more than two weeks need medical assessment rather than home management.
🚨 Get emergency care if you have
- •Blood or mucus in the stool
- •High fever with severe abdominal pain
- •Signs of dehydration — very little urine, dizziness on standing, dry mouth
- •Diarrhoea lasting more than two weeks
- •Diarrhoea with weight loss or night-time symptoms that wake you
What causes loose motion?
Gastroenteritis
Viral or bacterial infection, often with vomiting and cramps, settling in days.
Food poisoning
Sudden onset hours after a suspect meal, often affecting several people together.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Recurrent diarrhoea with cramping and bloating, without blood, weight loss or night waking.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Persistent diarrhoea with blood and mucus, weight loss and night-time symptoms.
Medication or lactose intolerance
Antibiotics, metformin and magnesium antacids commonly loosen stools.
How it is investigated
- ✓Stool routine, culture and parasite examination
- ✓Electrolytes and kidney function if dehydrated
- ✓Colonoscopy when diarrhoea is chronic or bloody
- ✓Coeliac and thyroid testing in chronic cases
Not every patient needs every test. The consultation decides which of these apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take an anti-diarrhoeal tablet?▼
For simple watery diarrhoea without fever or blood, loperamide can help short term. Avoid it when there is blood, mucus or high fever — slowing the bowel then can make an infection worse. ORS matters more than any tablet; replacing fluid and salts is the treatment that prevents harm.
When is diarrhoea an emergency?▼
When there are signs of dehydration — passing very little urine, dizziness on standing, confusion — or blood in the stool with high fever and severe abdominal pain. Infants and older adults dehydrate faster and warrant a lower threshold.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Symptoms overlap between harmless and serious conditions, and only an examination can tell them apart. If you are worried, see a doctor.
Plan your first visit
Not sure which specialist to see? Tell our care team the reason for your visit and we will help you choose.
- Bring previous prescriptions, relevant test reports or scan images, a medication list and photo ID.
- If you plan to use insurance, bring your policy details. OPD, tests and admission benefits depend on your individual plan and approval.
- Your first consultation determines which tests or treatments are needed; not everyone needs every test listed on this page.
Appointments are requests until confirmed. In a medical emergency, call 044 2025 2025 or go to the nearest emergency department.